DVD Release Picks For July 12, 2011

Compared to last week where the pickins were slim for new releases, this week could keep your wallet and Netflix queue busy for a while. This week is full of talking animals, astro-projection, savvy lawyers, disease and spoiled rich people. As diverse as the subject matter is the very genres these movies exist is just as divided. The week of July 12, 2011 has it all, horror, drama, thriller, comedy, family and action so no matter what you’re in the mood for at least one of this week’s releases will satisfy that thirst.

Insidious
The boys that brought the world SAW are back to tingle your spine, but this time it’s not with the maniacal laughter of a creepy doll or gruesome traps with moral repercussions, but with a throwback ghost story. The vibe of INSIDIOUS is very old school and it succeeds greatly because of it. The actors all elevate the proceedings for the first 2/3 of the film before things get a little crazy during the finale. The creep factor is turned way passed manageable levels throughout most of the film and even though the finale asks us to take a pretty large leap of faith, INSIDIOUS is still a fantastic horror movie worth your time. Verdict: Buy It

Note: Keep in mind I take no responsibility if you buy something based on my opinion and consequently hate the film. Please use at your own discretion.

The Lincoln Lawyer
Seeing Matthew McConaughey play in anything other than a romantic comedy is at least semi intriguing. McConaughey was great in A TIME TO KILL in my opinion and the only other movie I remember liking him in is DAZED & CONFUSED. The previews for THE LINCOLN LAWYER just weren’t convincing enough for me to feel compelled to check it out. That being said, I have turned around and I now have slight interest and do intend on getting around to it at some point or another. Verdict: Rent It

[REC]2
The Spanish film that spawned the American adaptation that was nearly identical, [REC], was a great and terrifying ride. I actually feel the same about QUARANTINE, but for me, [REC] is still the superior version. In my neck of the wood [REC]2 was not available in theaters, therefore I have no idea if the sequel is on par with the original, but from what I’m hearing, it’s still pretty great. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready to strap the camera back on and get back in that apartment complex for some more mayhem. Verdict: Rent It

Rango
It is with great shame that I sit here and have to say that I still have not seen RANGO. I am not the world’s biggest Johnny Depp fan, but I admit that he is a very good actor; I just can’t stand watching him play Jack Sparrow anymore. Depp lends his voice to RANGO and while I was never completely sold on the film, I LOVE computer animated films and always intended to see it. One thing leads to another and time gets away from us and now I have no excuse but to see it. I don’t want to speak to soon, but given my love of computer animation, I would normally just go ahead and say buy this, since I probably will anyway. However, since I haven’t seen it, I can’t in good conscience bring myself to recommend that on something I haven’t seen. Verdict: Rent It

Arthur
I don’t have loyalty to the original ARTHUR so I also don’t have any problems with a remake either. My problem is that I didn’t find the trailer particularly funny minus a few jokes here and there. The trailer makes Russell Brand come off quite annoying, which disappoints me because I loved him in FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL and GET HIM TO THE GREEK. My verdict for the updated version for ARTHUR is not because I think it is a completely terrible movie, more because nothing about the trailer seems to make watching it, worthwhile. Verdict: Don’t Bother

Upcoming DVD/Blu-Ray titles for the week of July 19, 2011: Limitless and Take Me Home Tonight